Dallas Neighborhood Office (NO(A)) District Setback Standards
The NO(A) Neighborhood Office District in the City of Dallas requires a standard minimum front yard setback of 15 feet for all structures. Side and rear yard setbacks are only mandatory when the property is adjacent to or directly across an alley from specific residential districts, in which case a 20-foot setback is required; otherwise, there is no minimum side or rear yard requirement.
Minimum Yard Requirements for NO(A) Districts
In the City of Dallas, the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District is designed for office uses that serve local neighborhood needs and are compatible with single-family, duplex, and townhouse areas [Section 51A-4.121(a)(1)]. Because of this proximity to residential areas, the Dallas Development Code establishes specific yard and placement regulations to preserve the environmental quality of the community.
The following table outlines the specific setback requirements for the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District in Dallas:
| Setback Category | Minimum Requirement | Conditions/Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet | Mandatory in all cases [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(A)]. |
| Side Yard | 20 feet | Required if adjacent to or across an alley from R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A) districts [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(B)(i)]. |
| Side Yard | No minimum (0 feet) | Applicable in all other cases [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(B)(ii)]. |
| Rear Yard | 20 feet | Required if adjacent to or across an alley from R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, MF, or MF(A) districts [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(B)(i)]. |
| Rear Yard | No minimum (0 feet) | Applicable in all other cases [Section 51A-4.121(a)(4)(B)(ii)]. |
Specific Placement and Projection Rules
The Dallas Development Code provides additional nuance for how these setbacks are measured and what may occupy the required yard space in the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District.
Permitted Encroachments into Required Yards
While required yards in the City of Dallas must generally be open and unobstructed, certain architectural features may project into the setback area. Ordinary projections such as window sills, belt courses, and cornices may project up to 12 inches into the required front yard [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)]. Fireplace chimneys, cantilevered roof eaves, and balconies may project up to two feet into the required front yard [Section 51A-4.401(a)(1)].
Visual Intrusion and Adjacency
In the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District, no portion of a balcony or opening that faces any R, R(A), D, D(A), TH, TH(A), CH, or MF district may penetrate or be located above a "residential proximity slope" originating in that district [Section 51A-4.121(a)(8)(B)]. This serves as a secondary restriction on placement that can effectively increase the functional setback of upper stories to ensure visual privacy for adjacent residential occupants.
Off-Street Loading Restrictions
The City of Dallas prohibits off-street loading spaces from being located in the required front yard of the NO(A) Neighborhood Office District [Section 51A-4.121(a)(5)(B)(i)]. If loading spaces are located in a front yard behind the setback line, they must be screened from the street by a minimum height of six feet [Section 51A-4.121(a)(5)(B)(ii)].
Sections Cited
- Section 51A-4.121. OFFICE DISTRICTS.
- Section 51A-4.401. MINIMUM FRONT YARD.
- Section 51A-4.410. SCHEDULE OF YARD, LOT, AND SPACE REGULATIONS.